Aquatic screen.



n. McDONALD. AQUATIC SCREENL APPLICATION FILED FEB. 17 IQIE.

LO'WIWQ Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

Ema/mum DON/1L0 M00NALO l l l ill DONALD MQDONALD, 0F LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

AQUATIC SCREEN.

Application filed February 17, 1918.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DONALD MCDONALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefierson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aquatic Screens, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to screens adapted for removing sedimentary and floating debris from aqueducts, it being particularly applicable to that class of aqueducts which are of a large capacity and have their source in a natural stream subject to considerable rise and fall.

One characteristic of the invention con sists in so constructing the screen that it may be readily cleaned without arresting the flow of water through the aqueduct and without permitting the escape of debris past the screen, to which end, one feature of the invention consists in providing a screen embodying in its construction, a series of screening elements, each of which being mounted independent of the other in such a manner as to render any one of them readily removable for cleaning and to leave the other of said screening elements intact and in position to perform their intended function. Of course, if desirable, all of the screening elements may be simultaneously removed.

Another characteristic of the invention consists in providing a screen having increased screening area and to so construct the screen that the hydrodynamic pressure is equal on all sides of the screen, to which ends, a further feature of the invention consists in constructing the screens cylindrical and so positioning them with respect to each other that the necessity of stays and braces is eliminated.

Other advantages will be apparent from the following detail description of the invention, and upon reference to the accompanying drawing.

In said drawing: Figure 1 is a vertical section of an aqueduct showing the application of the invention; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 5 represents a supply pipe of an aqueduct which, according to the present invention is preferably provided with an upwardly or vertically presented discharge 6 with a supporting ledge 7 surrounding it.

$pecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

Serial No. 78,928.

8 represents a cylindrical receiving dome into which the supply pipe 5 discharges, preferably entering the dome from the bottom and axially thereof.

9 represents a service supply conduit into which the receiving dome 8 discharges preferably from the bottom thereof. In order that the water which passes through the aqueduct may be cleansed of all debris, both floating foreign matter held in suspension, and other impurities, before it reaches its destination, it is purposed to provide a cleaning screen, such as 10, to intercept the passage of the water and remove all the debris. In accordance with the present invention, the screen is vertically supported in the receiving dome which houses it, on the supporting ledge 7 of the supply pipe discharge 6. This screen preferably embodies in its construction, a series of cylindrical screening elements coaXially disposed with respect to each other and concentrically mounted on the ledge 7 with respect to the discharge 6. Each screening element is provided with a debris receptacle on 1ts lower end which will catch particles of the debris which drop down from the sides of the screens and in order to retain the elements in their proper position, they are seated in grooves or the like, provided on the surface of the ledge for this purpose. The screening device is of suliicient height to reach above the highest rise of the stream. With the screening device thus constructed, it is to be noted that not only an increased screening surface is provided, but other advantages are derived such as, obviating the use of braces as the pressure which is brought to bear on the screens, comes from within. The hydrodynamic pressure is equal on all sides. The screens are subjected to tension and not to bending. In order to clean the screening elements selectively, that is to say, one at a time, a suitable block and tackle apparatus 12 is provided which connects the screens and renders them inclependently removable, such for instance, as enabling the innermost screen to be alone removed, cleaned and dropped back in place without removing or disturbing the other screens, until it has again assumed its normal position. This will prevent any debris from passing into the supply conduit. When a screen is removed for cleaning, a roller table 13 or similar device may be run over the top of the dome for catching whatthe fact that if the screen becomes so foul as to greatly obstruct the passage of water through it, it can nevertheless be raised.

easily, which is not true with the screens of the ordinary pattern. Screens of the ordinarv pattern cannot be raised for cleaning at all, or only with great difficulty, at times when they are so foul as to make the water much higher on one side than it is on the other, the pressure of the Water driving the screen against its guides and greatly increasing the difiiculty of raising it.

Throughout this specification and claims where the word cylinder is used with reference to the screen, or screening elements, itis to be taken as meaning any annular or substantially round inclosure, such as prism shape, octagonal shape, etc.

I claim 1. In combination, an aqueduct havin a supply pipe with an upwardly presented ischarge, a receiving dome surrounding said discharge; and a delivery conduit into which said receiving dome discharges, a screen mounted in said receiving dome concentric with the upwardly presented discharge of said supply pipe and intercepting the passage of water through said aqueduct; said screen embodying in its construction, a series of coaXially mounted cylindrical screening elements, and means for selectively removing a screening element from said dome.

2. In combination, an aqueduct having a supply pipe with an upwardly presented discharge, a receiving dome surrounding said discharge; and a delivery conduit into which said receiving dome discharges, a supporting ledge surrounding said supply pipe discharge, and a cylindrical screen supported on said ledge concentric with said discharge and adapted to intercept the passage of water through said aqueduct; said screen embodying in its construction, a series of coaXially mounted cylindrical screening elements, and means for selectively removing a screening element from said dome.

3. In combination, an aqueduct having a supply pipe with a vertically presented discharge, a cylindrical receiving dome surrounding said discharge, and a delivery conduit into which said receiving dome discharges, a supporting ledge surrounding said supply pipe discharge, and a cylindrical screen supported on said ledge concentric with said discharge and adapted to intercept the passage of water through said aqueduct, said screen embodying in its construction, a series of coaxially mounted cylindrical screening elements, each of said elements having a receptacle provided on its lower end, and means for selectively removing a screening element from said dome.

The foregoing specification signed at Louisville, Kentucky, this 7th day of February, 1916.

DONALD MCDONALD.

' Copies of this patent may be obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 1). 0. 

